Adjustable template



March 29, 1955 R w, SHANE ADJUSTABLE TEMPLATE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 4, 1954 Robert W. Shane INVENTOR.

9 BY WM 25. Mama 5 i; \& 5w wm @W 0 mm mm mm wm March 29, 1955 R w SHANE ADJUSTABLE TEMPLATE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 4, 1954 wk w ,w w w United States Patent ADJUSTABLE TEMPLATE Robert W. Shane, Long Beach, Calif.

Application June 4, 1954, Serial No. 434,362

4 Claims. (Cl. 33177) This invention relates to a drafting implement and more particularly to an adjustable template for use in drawing and reproducing curved lines.

The primary object of the present invention resides in the provision of a drafting implement adapted to be used in drawing and reproducing elongated curved or arcuate lines and which is particularly adapted for use in laying out complex lines and curves such as those which are peculiar to aircraft and ship building.

A further object of this invention resides in the provision of a drafting implement for use in drawing arcuate lines that includes a base having a resilient covering forming the surface engaging portion of the base for frictionally holding the drafting implement in position while in use.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of means for retractably mounting casters on the base of the implement so that it may be easily moved from one location to another as may be desired.

The construction of this invention features a resilient spline to which a plurality of shafts are pivotally attached. Adjustably secured to the shafts are tubular cylindrical members which extend through pivotally mounted bushings in the base. Brake means are provided for clampingly engaging the cylindrical members to hold the members in an adjusted position and thus hold the spline at the proper curvature.

Still further objects and features of this invention reside in the provision of a drafting implement that is strong and durable, simple in construction, use, and manufacture, and which is highly flexible in operation.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this adjustable template, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the adjustable template comprising the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view as taken along the plane of line 22 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional detail view as taken along the plane of line 33 in Figure l and illustrating the brake means utilized to adjustably connect the cylindrical members to the base;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view as taken along the plane of line 4--4 in Figure 3 and Figure 5 is a sectional view illustrating a modified form of base construction.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral generally designates the drafting implement comprising the present invention. This instrument includes a base 12 of substantially T-shape having an undercovering 14 of resilient material such as rubber to provide a surface for frictionally holding the implement in a desired position.

The base 12 has an upwardly extending portion 16 provided with a series of apertures 18 therethrough. Mounted Within the apertures 18 are a series of bushings 20 having a bore 22 therethrough and being swivelly mounted by means of swivel pins 24.

Received in the bushings 20 are a plurality of tubular cylindrical members 26 which are grooved in the upper surface thereof as at 28 and which have end portions formed by adapters 30 to which internally threaded col- "ice lars 32 are rotatably attached by means of resilient lock wings 34. The cylindrical members 26 are adapted to be held in adjusted position by means of brake pads 36 which extend through apertures 38 in the bushings 20. Engaged with the brake pad 36 is a brake screw 40 having a knurled head 42, the brake screw 40 being threadedly engaged in the upper portion 16 of the base 12.

Threadedly secured in the collars 32 are shafts 54 whichhave eyes 56 at the other ends thereof. Pins 58 pivotally mount the shafts 54 on a flexible spline 60, the pins 58 extending through upper and lower apertured mounting brackets 62. The spline 60 is provided with a ruling edge 64.

The base 12 also carries a substantially L-shaped fulcrum member 66 having a guide opening 68 therethrough which one of the cylindrical members 26 extends, preferably the central cylindrical member 26. This fulcrum member restrains the central cylindrical member 26 from pivoting and thus assures a rigid implement when it has been fully set.

In Figure 5, it will be noted that the base 12 is provided with recesses 70 therein. Mounted in the recesses 70 are casters 72 attached to plungers 74 to which crank arms 76 pivotally mounted as at 78 to upwardly extending lugs Won the base 12 are themselves pivotally attached as at 82. Hence, movement of the crank arm 76 and its operating lever 84 will enable the caster 72 to be either withdrawn into the recess 70 or lowered therefrom. These casters are provided to enable the device to be more easily moved into position.

The operation of the invention is quite simple. The spline 60 is flexible and is adjusted by movement of the cylindrical members 26 to suitable position to form the desired curve in the spline 60. Minor adjustments can be achieved by rotation of the collar 32.

It is to be recognized that the pivotal mounting of the bushing 20 permits the cylindrical members 26 to pivot with respect to the base 12 to compensate for the angular relationships of the various mounting brackets 62.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An adjustable template comprising a flexible spline, a plurality of shafts pivotally secured to said spline, a plurality of cylindrical members, said shafts being secured to said cylindrical members, an elongated base, said base having a plurality of apertures therethrough, swivel bushings swivelly mounted in said apertures, said cylindrical members extending through said bushings, said cylindrical members having grooves therein, apertures in said bushings in alignment with said grooves, brake pads extending through the apertures in said bushing engaging said cylindrical member in said groove, and brake screws secured to said pads threadedly secured to said base, said base having a fulcrum member attached thereto having a guide opening therethrough, one of said cylinders extending through said opening and being restrained against pivotal movement.

2. An adjustable template comprising a flexible spline, a plurality of shafts pivotally secured to said spline, a plurality of cylindrical members, said shafts being secured to said cylindrical members, an elongated base, said base having a plurality of apertures therethrough, swivel bushings swivelly mounted in said apertures, said cylindrical members extending through said bushings, said cylindrical members having grooves therein, apertures in said bushings in alignment with said grooves, brake pads extending through the apertures in said bushing engaging said cylindrical member in said groove, and brake screws secured to said pads threadedly secured to said base, said base having a fulcrum member attached thereto having a guide opening therethrough, one of said cylinders extending through said opening and being restrained against pivotal movement, said base being of substantially inverted T-shape having an upwardly extending portion having said first recited apertures therethrough, said blase lfiaving resilient material underlying the bottom t ereo 3. An adjustable template comprising a flexible spline,-

a plurality of shafts pivotally secured to said spline, a plurality of cylindrical members, said shafts being secured to said cylindrical members, an elongated base, said base having a plurality of apertures therethrough, swivel bushings swivelly mounted in said apertures, said cylindrical members extending through said bushings, said cylindrical members having grooves therein, apertures in said bushings in alignment with said grooves, brake pads extending through the apertures in said bushing engaging said cylindrical member in said groove, and brake screws secured to said pads threadedly secured to said base, said base having a fulcrum member attached thereto having a guide opening therethrough, one of said cylinders extending through said opening and being restrained against pivotal movement, said base being of substantially inverted T-shape having an upwardly extending portion having said first recited apertures therethrough, said base having resilient material underlying the bottom thereof.

4. An adjustable template comprising a flexible spline, a plurality of shafts pivotally secured to said spline, a plurality of cylindrical members, said shafts being secured to said cylindrical members, an elongated base,

said base having a plurality of apertures therethrough,

swivel bushings swivelly mounted in said apertures, said cylindrical members extending through said bushings, said cylindrical members having grooves therein, apertures in said bushings in alignment with said grooves, brake pads extending through the apertures in said bushing engaging said cylindrical member in said groove, and brake screws secured to said pads threadedly secured to said base, said base having a fulcrum member attached thereto having a guide opening therethrough, one of said cylinders extending through said opening and being restrained against pivotal movement, said base being of substantially inverted T-shape having an upwardly extending portion having said first recited apertures therethrough, said base having resilient material underlying the bottom thereof, said shafts being adjustably threadedly connected to said cylindrical members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 703,208 Lawrence June 24, 1902 2,506,243 Sill May 2, 1950 2,522,030 Fuqua Sept. 12, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 745,101 France May 5, 1933 

